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Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Italian, b. 1971

Sculptor Ivan Zanoni is likely among the last blacksmiths in the world who relies on medieval techniques to create magnificent iron sculptures. Having learned the craft from his father, sculptor Luciano Zanoni, Ivan is celebrated internationally for his provocative animal sculptures and other works. 

Ivan Zanoni was born in Caldes, Trento, Italy, and wasted no time getting his little hands into all sorts of trouble. Burning himself was just the first of many lessons he would learn while working in his father’s workshop, but in the years that followed, Ivan would come to master the traditions most closely associated with the family name. There is a long history of blacksmithing in the Zanoni family, and many artisans have passed down skills to younger generations, who’ve managed to formulate their own unique approach to their craft. 

Today, father and son work together in their shared workshop even as their subjects and methods vary. Luciano’s ideas take shape in his head, and while he may draw the initial outlines of a concept in chalk on the ground before lighting the fire, he usually skips the concepting stage altogether. Ivan, on the other hand, tends to sketch out ideas, make plasticine models and cut sheet metal accordingly before beginning to work with his material. Sometimes a given work can take years to complete.

Ivan is probably best known for the vast range of figurative sculptures he’s created over the years, all of which draw on the wonders of the animal kingdom, while his father specializes in sculpting olive trees and other plant life in iron. Their approaches intersect with a love of nature, each holding a firm belief that remaining rooted to the earth, grounded both emotionally and spiritually, is critical to much more than just their art. 

Ivan began to explore sculpture on his own in 1998. He has exhibited his work at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto. He created a series of sculptures representing the fables of La Fontaine and has completed multiple feline sculptures inspired by the stories of Italian writer Emilio Salgari. The Salamon Fine Art gallery in Milan represents both Ivan and Luciano Zanoni, and some of their work is held in the gallery’s permanent collection.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Ivan Zanoni sculptures.

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Artist: Ivan Zanoni
Two meters pear tree iron black forged sculpture. Unique piece. In and outdoor
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
Pear Tree Sculpture. Elegant, fine and unique piece, not replicable. Forged on wrought iron. Made by six different branches, easy assembled. The sculptor is fresh from the success ...
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2010s Realist Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Cat in playful pose crafted in black wrough iron by Italian Master
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
An exquisite and highly tasteful sculpture, The Cat is one of the most recent artworks by the Italian master blacksmith Ivan Zanoni who has recently been put on display at MART, Museum of Modern Art in Rovereto (the most prominent in Italy), which has dedicated a significant exhibition to him. Ivan Zanoni has learned this rare activity from his father, Luciano, who, among other artworks, has sculpted a four-meter olive tree for Melinda and Bill Gates...
Category

2010s Realist Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Lynx inside and outdoor sculpture unique black wrough iron feline cat natural
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
The sculpture is a unique, unrepeatable piece. Can be an outdoor sculpture. The Lynx belongs to the cycle dedicated to local animals that the sculptor has been working on. The artwork has just been exhibited in the prestigious museum in Rovereto, the Mart, Italy's leading museum of modern and contemporary art. It has been created with a technique that the artist has perfected over his long experience. Furthermore, he learnt a few technical skills from his father, a sculptor of wrought iron too. A few artworks made by father and son are in significant private and public collections, the best known of which is the Melinda and Bill Gates...
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2010s Realist Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Naturalistic cross wrought iron outdoor sculpture, many forged unique animals
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
Calvary naturalistic tree. Unique piece, not replicable. Forged on wrought iron. Handmade by the outstanding Italian sculptor Ivan Zanoni. The sculptor is fresh from the success o...
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2010s Naturalistic Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Majestic iron black bear sculpture forged by Ivan Zanoni
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
The sculptor is fresh from the success of a major exhibition that the MART, Museum of Modern Art in Rovereto (the most prominent in Italy), dedicated to him. Born and raised in Cal...
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2010s Naturalistic Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Rare Beetroot sculpture in black wrough iron by fine Italian blacksmith Zanoni
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
The work can be dated to 2005, when Luciano Zanoni (Ivan's father) was at the height of strength and skill. Characteristics allowed him to bring to life an object that is unique in i...
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2010s Naturalistic Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

The march of the crabs, series of wrought-iron sculptures by Italian blacksmith
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
Ivan Zanoni's expert craftsmanship shows us this composition of 5 handmade and unique sculptures that provide the effect of watching crabs emerge from the sea. The measure written a...
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2010s Realist Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Pair of wrought iron stag beetles on a river stone all "framed" by a steel tray
By Ivan Zanoni
Located in Milan, IT
The measures of the composition are cm h 10 x w 36 x d 36. The measurements written on the technical file correspond on each single stag beetle. After the success of a major exhibi...
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Early 2000s Naturalistic Ivan Zanoni Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

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Ivan Zanoni figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ivan Zanoni figurative sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ivan Zanoni in iron, metal and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Ivan Zanoni figurative sculptures, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Antoine-Louis Barye, María José de la Macorra, and Gary Sczerbaniewicz. Ivan Zanoni figurative sculptures prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,578 and tops out at $43,491, while the average work can sell for $11,540.

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